Understanding When to Leverage Locum Tenens Staffing

Healthcare leaders are constantly evaluating staffing solutions to maintain high-quality patient care while balancing workforce shortages, physician burnout, and fluctuating patient demand. This often raises the critical question: Does my facility need locums?

Locum tenens providers offer a flexible, cost-effective staffing solution that allows hospitals, clinics, and specialty practices to fill gaps without committing to permanent hires. Whether covering for a provider on leave, supplementing a growing patient population, or addressing long-term vacancies, locum tenens professionals play a vital role in sustaining operational efficiency and patient satisfaction.

This guide will help you assess whether locum tenens staffing is the right solution for your facility by exploring key indicators, financial considerations, and best practices for implementing a locum strategy.

What Are Locum Tenens Providers?

Locum tenens, a Latin phrase meaning "to hold the place of," refers to physicians, advanced practitioners, and other healthcare professionals who work temporary assignments to provide continuity of care when permanent staff are unavailable. These assignments can last anywhere from a few days to several months, offering healthcare facilities the flexibility to adjust staffing levels based on need.

By partnering with locum tenens agencies, hospitals and medical practices can ensure seamless credentialing, compliance with state medical boards, and access to a nationwide pool of skilled providers. This makes locum tenens a strategic workforce solution that aligns with both short-term and long-term staffing objectives.

5 Key Indicators Your Facility Needs Locum Coverage

1. Rising Staff Burnout and Turnover

Physician and provider burnout is a growing crisis in healthcare, leading to high turnover rates, decreased productivity, and compromised patient care. If your facility experiences frequent staff fatigue, increased sick leave, or declining morale, bringing in locum tenens professionals can help alleviate workloads and prevent further attrition.

2. Persistent Staffing Gaps and Vacancies

Recruiting and onboarding permanent providers can take months, leaving your facility vulnerable to service disruptions. If your facility struggles to fill vacancies for extended periods or experiences difficulty retaining providers in specific specialties, locum tenens staffing can serve as an interim solution, ensuring that patient care remains uninterrupted.

3. Increased Patient Demand and Seasonal Surges

Many facilities experience fluctuations in patient volume due to seasonal illnesses, elective procedure peaks, or unexpected public health crises. Locum tenens providers allow your facility to scale staffing levels up or down as needed, preventing provider fatigue and optimizing patient flow.

4. Expansion of Services or Specialty Gaps

If your facility is expanding service lines, opening new departments, or experiencing a shortage in specialized care, locum tenens can bridge these gaps while you recruit permanent providers. This is especially useful for rural and underserved areas where attracting full-time specialists may be challenging.

5. Revenue Loss Due to Staffing Shortages

Unfilled provider positions can lead to patient diversions, increased wait times, and revenue loss. Locum tenens staffing helps mitigate these financial risks by maintaining patient volume and service availability, ensuring that your facility continues operating at peak efficiency.

Financial Considerations for Locum Tenens Staffing

Cost Analysis: Locum Tenens vs. Permanent Hires

While locum tenens providers may have higher hourly rates than permanent staff, facilities can save on long-term costs such as benefits, retirement contributions, and malpractice insurance. Locum staffing is a cost-effective way to maintain patient access to care without the financial commitment of a full-time hire.

Billing and Reimbursement Strategies

Locum tenens providers generate revenue through patient visits, procedures, and telehealth services. Facilities can bill under locum coverage arrangements, often recouping costs while ensuring continuous patient care. Understanding reimbursement policies and credentialing requirements will help maximize return on investment.

Managing Budget Flexibility

Locum tenens staffing allows for financial flexibility by enabling facilities to allocate resources based on real-time needs. Whether covering short-term absences or filling critical gaps, locum providers help facilities optimize spending while avoiding costly staffing shortages.

4 Best Practices for Implementing a Locum Tenens Strategy

1. Work with a Trusted Locum Tenens Agency

Partnering with a reputable locum tenens agency streamlines the recruitment, credentialing, and placement process. Agencies handle contract negotiation, malpractice coverage, and scheduling, allowing your facility to focus on patient care.

2. Establish Clear Expectations and Onboarding Procedures

To maximize the efficiency of locum providers, ensure a structured onboarding process that includes an overview of facility protocols, electronic health record (EHR) training, and integration into the care team. A well-prepared locum is more likely to provide seamless, high-quality care.

3. Monitor Performance and Collect Feedback

Regularly assess locum tenens providers through peer reviews, patient satisfaction surveys, and administrative feedback. This helps refine your locum strategy and maintain a high standard of care.

4. Plan for Long-Term Coverage Needs

Rather than using locums only in emergencies, facilities should proactively integrate locum staffing into their workforce strategy. This helps prevent service disruptions, optimize coverage planning, and reduce provider burnout.

Is Locum Tenens the Right Solution for Your Facility?

Locum tenens providers offer healthcare organizations a flexible, scalable staffing solution to address physician shortages, manage patient demand, and maintain operational stability. If your facility is experiencing staffing challenges, utilizing locum providers can help ensure uninterrupted patient care while protecting your bottom line.

Caliber specializes in matching hospitals and healthcare systems with highly qualified locum tenens providers. Contact us today to discuss how locum staffing can support your facility’s goals.